CUPE offers to freeze wages as Toronto work stoppage looms

Toronto contract talks: CUPE, city worker union, offers to freeze some wages as work stoppage looms

It comes one day after the City of Toronto declared an impasse with the union that represents 6,000 “outside” workers, including garbage collectors, snow removal crews, paramedics and park maintenance personnel.

The City requested Minister of Labour Linda Jeffrey issue a “no board report,” which would make a lockout or strike legal 17 days after it is issued. The contracts of 6,000 outside city workers and 23,000 inside workers expired on Dec. 31. Talks continue with Local 79, which represents the inside workers.

The Ford administration believes a no board report will pressure Local 416 to reach a settlement now, instead of dragging the deadlock, and possible work stoppage, into the summer, when mountains of garbage would test residents’ patience.

Both sides say they want a deal. Both sides also accuse each other of thwarting attempts to reach one.

“My advice to Mayor [Rob] Ford and the administration is to recognize this goodwill gesture for what it is,” Mr. Ferguson told reporters on Thursday. “Look for labour stability over the next two or three years and sign a deal with us tomorrow that respects public services and continues great services for residents.”

Mr. Ferguson calculated the savings from the wage freeze based on a 2%-a-year-salary increase, and said the money could go to protecting some of the city services that are on the chopping block in this year’s budget.

He said city negotiators refused to meet with the union on the weekend, so “we thought there was no other way to get our message out there other than appealing to Torontonians directly.”

The tactic clearly frustrated Deputy Mayor Holyday, who urged the union to bring its proposals to the bargaining table, not a press conference. He said negotiators wouldn’t meet with Local 416 on Saturday because they had said they had nothing new to say.

While the wage freeze is a “good start,” it’s not enough, said Mr. Holyday.

“There are several clauses in the contract … that cost the taxpayer millions of dollars and produce absolutely nothing. And they’re inefficient and they don’t give us the flexibility to provide the best service we can provide. We want to change that,” said Mr. Holyday. For example, contentious job security provisions guarantee a permanent employee another position if their job is contracted out.

Meanwhile, the city is quietly making contingency plans in the event of a work stoppage, but officials will not discuss the details. City Hall is on edge.

“The people of Toronto do not want another labour disruption, whether it’s in the winter or in the summer,” said Councillor Janet Davis, a member of the opposition. “And if there is a reasonable, fair offer on the table from the union and a willingness to forgo a wage increase, not have a strike, and free up money for more services for the budget items we’re trying to solve yet, then I have to scratch my head saying why aren’t we there talking to them.”